Keeping the Right People!
09/08/03
Tracy Lucht reports in USA Today: "Half of workers show desire to quit jobs. Despite the sluggish job market, more than half of workers would like to leave their positions, according to a study by Harris Interactive. The Spherion Emerging Workforce Study of 3,278 workers nationwide found that 52% want to change jobs, and 75% of those would like to do so within a year. 'Our study reveals a surprisingly confident, self-reliant workforce that is poised to walk out on employers at the first opportunity,' said Robert Morgan, president of Spherion, an employment services company. The nation's jobless rate was 6.4% in June."
It is not surprising in difficult times with layoffs and higher than normal unemployment that people hold onto jobs they even hate. You don't need a survey to find that out; just listen to the comments at your next party. In the boom times, companies work hard to find good people and add benefits to bind them to the organization. In the tough times, too many companies start to pull back on the benefits and forget to nurture the very employees who make the organization work. Too many leaders act as though workers should be happy just to have a job. The cutbacks in training, the unrealistic expectations, and the inflexible schedules sow seeds of resentment in even the best employees. Far too many workers "do their jobs" but they are getting their resumes primed and ready for the good times ahead. The best companies work hard in the good and the bad times to develop their people, to help workers position for opportunity and to care enough to acknowledge their contributions. It is the consistent commitment that creates more loyalty and performance on the part of employees. Once the resumes are sent, their hearts and minds have already moved on. Only their bodies remain...going through the motions. Don't let this happen to your people. What are you doing to insure that you are retaining the people you want to retain for the good years ahead? Do some career development checks this week.
A PAULSON QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Once the resumes are sent, their hearts and minds have already moved on. Only their bodies remain...going through the motions. Don't let this happen to your people!" --Terry Paulson, Ph.D.
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Kathy Lamancusa provides this week's mirthful message. As our children go back to school to get wisdom, we forget how much wisdom they already possess. Enjoy some of these young answers to the question: "What does love mean?"
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 5
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Claire - Age 5
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8
When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...